By NoFlyZone Group
Like many of you, we hoped that after
Anderson's new
Mayor declared the airport issue "dead", things would quiet down for
us. But the new year began as the old
one ended - with talk, speculation and even an Injunction! Before we go into details, we need to say
that in the final analysis, most agree Anderson's
involvement in the proposed airport ends with the beginning of the new Mayor's
term - and that is a huge stumbling block to any airport possibility in SW Madison. To be successful, supporters will now have to
find a new sponsoring entity/municipality (the County, Lapel or Pendleton).
Anderson's new
Mayor declared the airport issue "dead", things would quiet down for
us. But the new year began as the old
one ended - with talk, speculation and even an Injunction! Before we go into details, we need to say
that in the final analysis, most agree Anderson's
involvement in the proposed airport ends with the beginning of the new Mayor's
term - and that is a huge stumbling block to any airport possibility in SW Madison. To be successful, supporters will now have to
find a new sponsoring entity/municipality (the County, Lapel or Pendleton).
A huge
"thank you" goes out to the many, many people who attended meetings
and submitted letters to the Herald Bulletin regarding the airport issue. You have been overwhelming!! Madison County (and beyond) now knows there
is a massive number of informed citizens who are opposed to this or any other
airport in SW Madison County - and that we're not going away! Your vocal opposition has made it very
difficult for airport supporters to succeed.
And as long as we're committed, that
will be true!
"thank you" goes out to the many, many people who attended meetings
and submitted letters to the Herald Bulletin regarding the airport issue. You have been overwhelming!! Madison County (and beyond) now knows there
is a massive number of informed citizens who are opposed to this or any other
airport in SW Madison County - and that we're not going away! Your vocal opposition has made it very
difficult for airport supporters to succeed.
And as long as we're committed, that
will be true!
That being
said ….
said ….
Kris
Ockomon's victory, as Anderson's
new Mayor, is being challenged:
Ockomon's victory, as Anderson's
new Mayor, is being challenged:
This is a
developing story and we have limited information, but the ramifications of a
possible overturn in Anderson's Mayoral results
are obvious: Mr. Ockomon intends to end Anderson's support of the SW Madison
airport; Mr. Smith is responsible for initiating it.
developing story and we have limited information, but the ramifications of a
possible overturn in Anderson's Mayoral results
are obvious: Mr. Ockomon intends to end Anderson's support of the SW Madison
airport; Mr. Smith is responsible for initiating it.
Additionally,
the Herald Bulletin chose to continue to shine a spotlight on the continued possibility of the relocation airport. They first criticized Mr. Ockomon's
"airport is dead" stance in a lead editorial December 1st, and after
being inundated with critical letters from readers, recently published the
following stories:
the Herald Bulletin chose to continue to shine a spotlight on the continued possibility of the relocation airport. They first criticized Mr. Ockomon's
"airport is dead" stance in a lead editorial December 1st, and after
being inundated with critical letters from readers, recently published the
following stories:
Saturday, December 29th, the Herald Bulletin ran an in-depth
story on the proposed airport which, sadly, seemed to open the topic for more
discussion. Here's the link to the
story:
story on the proposed airport which, sadly, seemed to open the topic for more
discussion. Here's the link to the
story:
And, Tuesday, January 1st, the HB again referred
to the airport, both in their lead editorial and in the "Top Issues"
section:
to the airport, both in their lead editorial and in the "Top Issues"
section:
Our Response?
1)
It is essential that Anderson
maintain its "airport is dead" stance, as expressed by Mr. Ockomon. If
Anderson's Mayor refuses his support, it will be
very difficult for the SW Madison airport to
succeed. The reverse is also true.
It is essential that Anderson
maintain its "airport is dead" stance, as expressed by Mr. Ockomon. If
Anderson's Mayor refuses his support, it will be
very difficult for the SW Madison airport to
succeed. The reverse is also true.
2)
The HB understated the challenges to the proposed airport relocation.
Members of NFZ have spoken personally with the FAA, INDOT Office of
Aviation, and representatives of another BOAC.
We've also been in contact with and attended Indianapolis Airport
Authority meetings. Everyone we have
spoken with has offered the same opinion:
While not impossible, this airport venture is highly unlikely under the
best of circumstances, and particularly
given the amount of opposition that has been mounted. In her report to the Anderson Airport BOAC,
the Aerofinity representative stated that she has only known of two successful
airport relocations in nearly 30 years.
The HB understated the challenges to the proposed airport relocation.
Members of NFZ have spoken personally with the FAA, INDOT Office of
Aviation, and representatives of another BOAC.
We've also been in contact with and attended Indianapolis Airport
Authority meetings. Everyone we have
spoken with has offered the same opinion:
While not impossible, this airport venture is highly unlikely under the
best of circumstances, and particularly
given the amount of opposition that has been mounted. In her report to the Anderson Airport BOAC,
the Aerofinity representative stated that she has only known of two successful
airport relocations in nearly 30 years.
3)
How credible is the Herald Bulletin's "source"? In
the December 29th article, the HB’s source claimed most of the necessary land
options for the proposed airport have already been secured, but that is in stark
contrast to what our sources tell us.
While Mr. Pepelea stated no one has said "no", our information
is that he has secured only one actual signature. And we're hearing stories of a "change
of heart" by those initially open to options. We do
believe someone is nosing around SW Madison
trying to secure options - still. (So
lock your doors!) Ultimately, we
believe people within SW Madison will decide
what happens here, regardless of land options.
How credible is the Herald Bulletin's "source"? In
the December 29th article, the HB’s source claimed most of the necessary land
options for the proposed airport have already been secured, but that is in stark
contrast to what our sources tell us.
While Mr. Pepelea stated no one has said "no", our information
is that he has secured only one actual signature. And we're hearing stories of a "change
of heart" by those initially open to options. We do
believe someone is nosing around SW Madison
trying to secure options - still. (So
lock your doors!) Ultimately, we
believe people within SW Madison will decide
what happens here, regardless of land options.
4)
Continued discussion is not good for SW Madison. A recent letter to the HB encouraged
continued "rational" discussion on the airport issue. The HB warns that more studies will be
conducted to determine the economic impact of an airport in SW Madison and that
the issue is still open to "die or bloom." But for those of us who live in SW Madison, this is not just a philosophical or theoretical
conversation. Keeping this possibility open threatens to stall the economic growth
that is already occurring here; growth that Madison County
desperately needs! Any homeowner
needing to sell their home within the targeted region already knows this. (The fact that home sellers must disclose if
their home sits within a mile of an airport should be a clue!) We also believe that as long as the airport
possibility exists, decision-makers for positive economic development will take
a "wait and see" attitude. (Think
about it: Would you put a nice housing
edition or Starbucks next to a potential warehouse site?) So, as long as the discussion continues … our
healthy development slows to a crawl. **
Continued discussion is not good for SW Madison. A recent letter to the HB encouraged
continued "rational" discussion on the airport issue. The HB warns that more studies will be
conducted to determine the economic impact of an airport in SW Madison and that
the issue is still open to "die or bloom." But for those of us who live in SW Madison, this is not just a philosophical or theoretical
conversation. Keeping this possibility open threatens to stall the economic growth
that is already occurring here; growth that Madison County
desperately needs! Any homeowner
needing to sell their home within the targeted region already knows this. (The fact that home sellers must disclose if
their home sits within a mile of an airport should be a clue!) We also believe that as long as the airport
possibility exists, decision-makers for positive economic development will take
a "wait and see" attitude. (Think
about it: Would you put a nice housing
edition or Starbucks next to a potential warehouse site?) So, as long as the discussion continues … our
healthy development slows to a crawl. **
5)
Fishers is in financial trouble. This has been verified by several
sources - not the least of which is the State Board of Accounts. Fishers puts on a good show - there's no
doubt - but their need for money requires an ever increasing tax rate for its
residents, forced annexation attempts on its neighbors (Geist) and forced
relocation of its airport on whomever they can manipulate. We believe Fisher's financial problems will
mean one of two things: 1) They will
take the easiest/quickest way out to relocate; possibly to Mt. Comfort, or 2) They will intensify efforts to force
their airport on us.
Fishers is in financial trouble. This has been verified by several
sources - not the least of which is the State Board of Accounts. Fishers puts on a good show - there's no
doubt - but their need for money requires an ever increasing tax rate for its
residents, forced annexation attempts on its neighbors (Geist) and forced
relocation of its airport on whomever they can manipulate. We believe Fisher's financial problems will
mean one of two things: 1) They will
take the easiest/quickest way out to relocate; possibly to Mt. Comfort, or 2) They will intensify efforts to force
their airport on us.
6)
Zoning and airspace are the issues.
The HB quoted several people regarding
the airport issue but few, if any, of those interviewed have decision-making
authority in this case. The
make-or-break issue for a Madison
County is zoning: current zoning prohibits an airport on the
proposed property. Whoever governs that
land decides what can go there. At the
moment, the County
Commissioners oversee the
vast majority of the area in question, though that could change through
annexation.
Zoning and airspace are the issues.
The HB quoted several people regarding
the airport issue but few, if any, of those interviewed have decision-making
authority in this case. The
make-or-break issue for a Madison
County is zoning: current zoning prohibits an airport on the
proposed property. Whoever governs that
land decides what can go there. At the
moment, the County
Commissioners oversee the
vast majority of the area in question, though that could change through
annexation.
And final
decisions? The FAA will decide IF
Fishers may relocate their airport, and then will approve or reject potential
sites. And their criteria for making
such decisions has to do with airspace and air travel among others, not a
City's financial deficit or land options signed.
decisions? The FAA will decide IF
Fishers may relocate their airport, and then will approve or reject potential
sites. And their criteria for making
such decisions has to do with airspace and air travel among others, not a
City's financial deficit or land options signed.
So what to do now?
Well, for one
thing, we wait and see what happens with Anderson's
Mayor. That will determine whether or
not we need to increase our opposition efforts.
thing, we wait and see what happens with Anderson's
Mayor. That will determine whether or
not we need to increase our opposition efforts.
We also plan
to:
to:
1) Attend the January 8th County
Commissioners meeting to present our
1609 petition signatures and voice our opposition to any future discussions of
an airport in SW Madison.
Commissioners meeting to present our
1609 petition signatures and voice our opposition to any future discussions of
an airport in SW Madison.
2) Deliver signed petitions to the Anderson City
Council.
Council.
3) Draft letters to the County Council, County Commissioners,
the Lapel Town Council and the Pendleton Town Council reaffirming our
commitment to oppose any airport in SW Madison,
both now and anytime in the future.
the Lapel Town Council and the Pendleton Town Council reaffirming our
commitment to oppose any airport in SW Madison,
both now and anytime in the future.
We encourage everyone to continue expressing
thoughts about the airport to your friends and neighbors. And continue writing letters to the HB,
Pendleton Times, County Commissioners, Lapel Town Council and Pendleton Town
Council if you are so inclined. Please
don't feel your comments are ill-timed or out of place. At the beginning of this experience, when we
were first finding out the details of what was being planned, various
politicians and Board members said we were premature in our opposition – they
said we should just wait until the details were worked out. Had we done that, they might well be moving
dirt right about now! As it is, we're
in a better position, and it's because we voiced our opposition in a
consistent, informed manner.
thoughts about the airport to your friends and neighbors. And continue writing letters to the HB,
Pendleton Times, County Commissioners, Lapel Town Council and Pendleton Town
Council if you are so inclined. Please
don't feel your comments are ill-timed or out of place. At the beginning of this experience, when we
were first finding out the details of what was being planned, various
politicians and Board members said we were premature in our opposition – they
said we should just wait until the details were worked out. Had we done that, they might well be moving
dirt right about now! As it is, we're
in a better position, and it's because we voiced our opposition in a
consistent, informed manner.
In its
December 29th article, the Herald Bulletin attempted to explain who the No Fly
Zone is. As
you know, the NFZ is simply
a group of people who expressed interest in staying informed about
Fishers
airport relocation, and focused on eliminating the prospect of an
airport in SW Madison; and that's how the mailing list was produced. We know there are many, many more people in
and around SW Madison who have also worked
hard for months to do these same things.
We wish there were a way to thank them, and encourage them to keep up the
good work. Feel free to pass the word
along!
December 29th article, the Herald Bulletin attempted to explain who the No Fly
Zone is. As
you know, the NFZ is simply
a group of people who expressed interest in staying informed about
Fishers
airport relocation, and focused on eliminating the prospect of an
airport in SW Madison; and that's how the mailing list was produced. We know there are many, many more people in
and around SW Madison who have also worked
hard for months to do these same things.
We wish there were a way to thank them, and encourage them to keep up the
good work. Feel free to pass the word
along!
We'll be in
touch!
touch!
NFZ/don’t_fly_zone
**
Editorial comment: It is difficult to
understand any economic/business "leader" (let alone politician)
encouraging a discussion about this airport plan, when there are so many
obstacles to its success, and the very act of discussing it could limit and
harm the one area of the county that is succeeding economically, and that sits
poised to explode with growth along the I-69 corridor. It is a bad gamble. It makes no sense, and it is irresponsible,
in our opinion.
Editorial comment: It is difficult to
understand any economic/business "leader" (let alone politician)
encouraging a discussion about this airport plan, when there are so many
obstacles to its success, and the very act of discussing it could limit and
harm the one area of the county that is succeeding economically, and that sits
poised to explode with growth along the I-69 corridor. It is a bad gamble. It makes no sense, and it is irresponsible,
in our opinion.
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I am sorry but I just don't
I am sorry but I just don't get it. Why would the City of Anderson want to close the anderson airport and have to refund about two million to the Feds for grants?
It would be more than $ 2
It would be more than $ 2 million, CF. Since it's been open, Municipal has had more than 11 million in grants. Some of these are eligible for repayment, some aren't. The FAA will determine specifically which ones but it will be more than $2 million.
Mayor Ockomon wants to support the current airport. Mayor Smith doesn't. He admitted to actions which would undermine the current airport, in front of approximately 8 witnesses. They had to listen to him sing his own praises for so long, they finally had to stand up in mid-monologue and take their leave.
Thank you Bard I stand
Thank you Bard I stand corrected on the dollar amount. That was the number that I was hearing kicked around. Whatever the heck it is, it is too much when the city is almost broke.
My source on that is the Ch 59 interview, before someone questions my source.
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